INDUSTRY INSIGHT
Developmental Therapy
Sponsored Content
Modifying Your
Home Can Change
Your Child’s Life.
In the physical and occupational therapy world, our job is to
encourage functional independence of all individuals we treat.
Whether working with adults or children, home modifications are
often areas we must address to increase a person’s independence.
Many families find themselves with a need to structure
their home environment differently for their family member with
different abilities.
Home modification can be something such as adding a handle in
the shower for easier transfers, or using a shower chair in the shower
to assist with safe bathing. An exciting
way for therapists to work with families is
to help them design rooms which are safe
and stimulating for their children with
various abilities.
When considering the design of a
child’s room or any room in the home in
which we want to encourage increased
independence, it is important to know
the abilities of the child including both physical and cognitive as well
as what motivates the child.
When a child needs increased visual cues, it is important to think
of bold and contrasting colors to direct their attention to areas
to use. Consider in the bathroom a neutral wall color, however use
accessories that hold toothbrushes, washcloths and towels in a nice
bold color as a visual cue for children who often need enhanced
stimulation to seek out and be directed to the task.
This is an equally important idea for children who demonstrate
balance disorders and depth perception issues. Consider using strong
color transitions from one room to the next on the floor or before
steps in the home, or a bold color change to stimulate the
understanding of transition to another room. This could be utilized
both for a child with sensory processing disorders as well as a child
with cerebral palsy using a gait training
device in the home.
With children who are being
treated by physical, occupational and
speech therapists, it is important to
make the home a learning
environment encouraging them and
providing them with consistency.
Consider quiet rooms with low lights and calming sounds for any
child who needs a moment to relax and focus.
On the contrary, when a child needs to get out some energy,
consider a room or space that allows for some indoor jumping, or
maybe even swinging. These can be built into homes for low costs
and provide an extraordinary amount of feedback for any child who
needs it.
There are
several ways to
increase sensory
feedback and child
development in the home;
always add consistency, purposeful
movement and, most important, fun
into the equation. There are several room ideas posted on the
internet. It would always be a smart choice to discuss with your
therapists ideas for your home to help your child access
the things they need to be more independent and safe while
providing the appropriate amount and type of stimulation for your
son or daughter.
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